Confucianism

The ideas of Confucianism are no less relevant today than they were hundreds of years ago. The Chinese culture and society in the film Mulan are greatly influenced by Confucianism. Throughout the movie, Mulan makes wrong choices and actions against Confucianism. Especially with her parents, the general, and the matchmaker. Confucianism, shown through rituals, family order, and filial piety are represented constantly in the Chinese society presented in the film Mulan.

One aspect in Mulan’s society that was influenced by Confucianism was the idea that every person should willingly accept his or her role in society, and should preform the duties of that role. Mulan refused to follow her role as a woman in the Chinese society. At this point in the film, Mulan’s father has been selected to fight in the battle, but she tries to keep him from fighting. When Mulan and her father were arguing whether or not he should stay with her family or fight in the battle for honor, he replied, “time you learn your place, I know mine”. This shows how Mulan needed to act accordingly to her role as a female in society. Mulan did not respect her father’s choice and argued with him, which represented her not obeying the rules of Confucianism.

Another aspect of Mulan’s society that was determined by Confucianism was filial piety. Mulan was expected to obey her parents and her family name. During the ceremony, Mulan upsets the matchmaker, even though she was trying to help her. When Mulan was visiting the matchmaker, her lucky cricket jumped into the matchmaker’s cup of tea. Mulan tried to get the cricket out, but spilled it on the matchmaker on accident, and Mulan had to pour tea on her in front of everyone. The matchmaker said, “You will never honor your family”. This shows how Mulan disrespected filial piety by bringing down her family name.

Mulan decided to join the army as a man; this went against the Confucius